I’ve earned this face. At first, born with it, but
I’m older now and worn it in good.
Every bag, every bone, all I shouldn’t have and should
Is written in splotches, graying growths, wheel ruts
I’ve earned the callouses and the scars
When my body rests below the knife, the story
will be told in my healed wounds, of victory
Every ache in my joints, every late night star
I’ve counted at my labors, to the squint lines
Or the laughter of the crows, or the dog bites
And decaying leaves of winter’s white shine
upon my chest, let it come, I will not fight
against the tides, I embrace the simple story:
I’ve endured all of this. I will endure more.